ComicsDc ComicsBatmanBatman #143 adds a surprising new twist to the Joker’s origin story - and a connection to Bruce WayneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsDc ComicsBatmanBatman #143 adds a surprising new twist to the Joker’s origin story - and a connection to Bruce WayneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DC)
We’re two issues into The Joker: Year One - the three-issue arc that’s playing out weekly in the headline Batman book this month.Last week’s #142got things off to an intriguing start, bouncing between a past and future Joker in an issue that called back to both Batman: Zero Year andThe Killing Joke. This week’s issue goes several steps further, presenting us with an issue that is intent on piecing together his journey from that chemical vat to becoming the elemental monster we all know and fear.
It’s an issue that’s pretty much guaranteed to stir up debate, but before we get into all that, here’s Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, and Tomeu Morey’s cover.
(Image credit: DC)
Big spoilers for Batman #143 ahead
The Joker War: Part Two kicks off once more with a brief scene in the future timeline, where the Joker has infected everyone in Gotham, transforming them into deranged versions of himself. (A side note, but it is noticeable and a little unfortunate that this is coming out on the same day asAction Comics#1062, which does pretty much the exact same thing with Bizarro.)
From there we cut back to the past and to the Joker. A mysterious figure, who claims to have trained Batman, has offered to become his mentor. The Joker is sceptical about that until an attempted hit from the Red Hood gang draws Bruce’s attention - at which point the Joker panics and flees.
As the issue progresses, it becomes clear that what we have here is a version of the Joker who is still a twisted psychopath, but not yet quite the force of nature he will one day become. The reason for this is that he still feels fear - specifically a deep terror of Batman. It’s time, then, to give that mystery man a call…
(Image credit: DC)
But that’s not the half of it! Captio, it turns out, also has his own “backup personality” likethe Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, named Kahr Em Zed. He allows this persona to “possess” him and teaches the Joker the benefits of creating multiple identities “to be used and focused when you need them.”
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The Joker really takes to this idea, creating three distinct people within himself. The first of these is the clown. The second is a force of pure evil that causes Captio to muse, “I don’t believe in heaven or hell, but if I did I’d think this man has existed for millennia, tormenting humanity in the service of something greater.” The third is the Joker at his most malevolent, referred to here as simply “cold death.”
(Image credit: DC)
Eventually the Joker kills Captio, leaving him to muse in his dying moments that he has created something perfect with which to foil Batman. And that’s where the issue leaves us, with the story concluding in next week’s #144.
Hmm.
There are going to be some who hate this tweaking with the character, especially when it leads to dialogue like the Joker musing, “I guess Batman is like a brother to me now.” Idon’thate it, but neither do I personally see a super-compelling reason for it, and it further tangles the already convoluted Zur-En-Arrh and three Jokers plot threads.
All that said, this is of course an ongoing story and maybe Zdarsky and Co. have some larger reason for all of this that we’ve not gotten to just yet. His writing for Batman remains compelling and, as with the previous issue, there’s some truly fantastic art from Andrea Sorrentino andGiuseppe Camuncoli, who really make the most of the two different time zones to tell a bold and visually-exciting story. We’ll see how it all comes together next week…
Batman #143 is out now from DC.
Keep track of all the Batman comics coming your way withour regularly-updated tracker.
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Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftDC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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5
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